Anchor device and method

ABSTRACT

An anchor device is provided for securing a watercraft via an improved anchor. The anchor device may include a spine component, rotation members rotatable about the spine component, slats, and additional features. During operation, the anchor device advantageously provides increased contacting edges to grip an uneven anchoring surface, such as a rocky lakebed or river bottom. A method for securing a watercraft via an improved anchor using the anchor device is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/979,593 filed Feb. 21, 2020. The foregoing application is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an anchor device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to securing a watercraft via an improved anchor device.

BACKGROUND

Conventional anchors of the sort that have been used on watercraft for many years are designed as pyramids, spikes, or chains, and are most commonly constructed of lead. Conventional anchors function by rolling and sliding along the river bottom or other terrain underneath the static and/or flowing water, until grabbing onto the terrain. For bodies with faster water flow, it becomes more difficult for the anchor to grab onto the terrain and stop the watercraft. Conventional anchors include a single edge that will come into contact with the terrain. This design limits operability because the static, fixed, nature of the design renders such anchors incapable of adapting to different types of terrain and varying conditions. Conventional anchors are, therefore, limited with regard to the locations at which, and conditions under which, they are able to grab onto and hold onto the terrain.

Therefore, a need exists to solve the deficiencies present in the prior art. What is needed is an anchor device with improved operational utility when used in rivers and other bodies of flowing water. What is needed is an anchor device with improved operational utility when used in static and/or moving bodies of water. What is needed is an anchor device with adaptable members to secure a watercraft when deployed. What is needed is an anchor device configured to improve holding capacity when used in a moving-water environment, such as a river. What is needed is a method for holding a watercraft in a body of flowing water, such as a river.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an anchor device with improved operational utility when used in rivers or other body of flowing water. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an anchor device with improved operational utility when used in static and/or moving bodies of water. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an anchor device with adaptable members to secure a watercraft when deployed. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides an anchor device configured to improve holding capacity when used in a moving-water environment, such as a river. An aspect of the disclosure advantageously provides a method for holding a watercraft stationary in a body of flowing water, such as a river.

An anchor device enabled by this disclosure may advantageously stop watercraft more effectively and hold watercraft in place more effectively with respect to a body of water, than conventional anchors. An anchor device enabled by this disclosure may be operated in various types of bodies of water, for example, in static water such as a lake and/or flowing water such as a river. The following disclosure describes an anchor device including improvements in design, material used, and performance, relative to the prior art. An anchor device enabled by this disclosure may include rotation members made of galvanized steel or other very durable material, which contributes to the enhanced durability of the anchors of the present invention relative to conventional anchors made of lead. Further, conventional anchors operate by dragging to a stop; the series of independently rotating rotation members of the present invention actively dig into the river bottom or other terrain underneath the body of water quicker than conventional anchors and exhibit greater holding capacity (i.e., ability to hold onto the terrain to which the anchor attaches) than conventional anchors. These and other attributes of an anchor device enabled by this disclosure provide watercraft operators with greater flexibility with regard to the range of locations at which, and conditions under which, the watercraft may be stopped and secured.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, an anchor device is provided comprising a spine component, rotation members, and/or other components. The spine component may include an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end. The rotation members may include a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component may be installed. The rotation members may operatively rotate about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other. When deployed, the rotation members may selectively rotate about the spine component to engage an anchoring surface.

In another aspect, a slat may be installed to the spine component between the rotation members. The slat may include a slat opening through which the spine component is installed and a slat face to interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat. The slat face may contact the rotation members by having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members.

In another aspect, the slats may be constructed using a slat material producing the friction that is less than produced by the rotating members.

In another aspect, the rotation members may include a first rotation member and a second rotation member that differs in dimensions from the first rotation member.

In another aspect, the rotation members installed to the spine component may alternate between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.

In another aspect, the first rotation member may include a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width.

In another aspect, the second rotation member may include a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length. The second rotation member may additionally include a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width.

In another aspect, a slat may be installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.

In another aspect, the slat may further include a slat opening through which the spine component is installed. The slat may include a first slat face to interface with the first rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat. The slat may include a second slat face to interface with the second rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat. The first slat face may contact the first rotation member. The second slat face may contact the second rotation member. The first slat face and the second slat face may be defined by a slat face surface area that is less than a first rotation member face surface area or a second rotation member face surface area to reduce friction between the first rotation member and the second rotation member and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members about the spine component.

In another aspect, a tether mounting component may be removably installed to the mounting spine component end of the spine component. A tether may be operatively installable to the spine component via the tether mounting component.

In another aspect, the spine component may include an eyebolt located at the mounting spine component end of the spine component to receive the tether mounting component and/or the tether.

In another aspect, the spine may include an eyebolt located at the mounting spine component end of the spine component to receive a tether.

In another aspect, when deployed in a body of water having the anchoring surface that is uneven, the rotation members may selectively rotate about the spine component to engage the anchoring surface that is uneven. The rotation members that are rotated to correspond with the anchoring surface that is uneven may increase grip by the rotation members to the anchoring surface to facilitate maintaining an anchored position of a watercraft with respect to the body of water. The rotation members that are rotated to correspond with the anchoring surface that is uneven may dig into the anchoring surface to facilitate maintaining the anchored position of the watercraft with respect to the body of water.

In another aspect, the rotation member edge may be substantially linear.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, an anchor device is provided comprising a spine component, rotation members, and/or other components. The spine component may include an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end. The rotation members may include a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component is installed. The rotation members may operatively rotate about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other. The rotation members may be configured as a first rotation member including a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width, and a second rotation member including a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length and a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width. The rotation members may be installed to the spine component alternating between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.

In another aspect, a slat may be installed to the spine component between the rotation members. The slat may include a slat opening through which the spine component is installed. The slat may additionally include a slat face to interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members.

In another aspect, a slat may be installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member. In this aspect, the slat may include a slat opening through which the spine component is installed, a first slat face to interface with the first rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat, and a second slat face to interface with the second rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, an anchor device is provided comprising a spine component, rotation members, and/or other components. The spine component may include an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end. The rotation members may include a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component is installed, the rotation members operatively rotating about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other. The slat may be installed to the spine component between the rotation members. The slat may include a slat opening through which the spine component is installed. The slat face may interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat. The slat face may contact the rotation members by having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members. The slats may produce the friction that is less than produced by the rotating members.

In another aspect, the rotation members may include a first rotation member including a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width. The rotation members may additionally include a second rotation member including a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length and a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width. The rotation members may be installed to the spine component alternating between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.

In another aspect, the slat may be installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.

Terms and expressions used throughout this disclosure are to be interpreted broadly. Terms are intended to be understood respective to the definitions provided by this specification. Technical dictionaries and common meanings understood within the applicable art are intended to supplement these definitions. In instances where no suitable definition can be determined from the specification or technical dictionaries, such terms should be understood according to their plain and common meaning. However, any definitions provided by the specification will govern above all other sources.

Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages described by this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor device, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an anchor device, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first rotation member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a first rotation member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a second rotation member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a second rotation member, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view an anchor device with its rotation members rotated about the spine component, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is side elevation view of an anchor device with its rotation members rotated about a spine component and showing a tether component, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an anchor device deployed in a body of water provided as a river, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is provided to describe various embodiments of an anchor device. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments and uses of the present invention that extend beyond the examples of this disclosure. Terms included by any claim that may be presented with this disclosure are to be interpreted as defined within this disclosure. Singular forms should be read to contemplate and disclose plural alternatives. Similarly, plural forms should be read to contemplate and disclose singular alternatives. Conjunctions should be read as inclusive except where stated otherwise.

Expressions such as “at least one of A, B, and C” should be read to permit any of A, B, or C singularly or in combination with the remaining elements. Additionally, such groups may include multiple instances of one or more element in that group, which may be included with other elements of the group. All numbers, measurements, and values are given as approximations unless expressly stated otherwise.

For the purpose of clearly describing the components and features discussed throughout this disclosure, some frequently used terms will now be defined, without limitation. The term anchor, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as something that serves to hold an object firmly. The term spine component, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as a elongated member to which one or more slats may be installed, with the spine being alignable about a central axis. The term flowing water, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as water moving in an approximately consistent direction, such as within a stream or a river. The term river, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as a natural stream of water flowing in a definite course or channel or series of diverging and/or converging channels. The term static water, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as a body of water with no or minimal movement such as a lake, pond, sea, reservoir, or other similar body of water that would be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The term body of water, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined to include a collection of flowing and/or static water. The term terrain, as it is used throughout this disclosure, is defined as a surface upon which objects may be located, such as a ground surface, lake bottom, sea floor, riverbed, and/or other similar surfaces, without limitation.

Various aspects of the present disclosure will now be described in detail, without limitation. In the following disclosure, an anchor device will be discussed. Those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the anchor device as an anchor, river anchor, tornado anchor, watercraft securing device, the invention, or other similar names. Similarly, those of skill in the art will appreciate alternative labeling of the anchor device as a watercraft securing technique, river anchoring method, operation for securing a watercraft in flowing water, method, operation, the invention, or other similar names. Skilled readers should not view the inclusion of any alternative labels as limiting in any way.

Anchor devices described throughout and enabled by this disclosure are designed to better align themselves with the different contours encountered along the bottom of streams of flowing water and/or floor of static water. An anchor device will be discussed throughout this disclosure in various embodiments. In at least one embodiment, the anchor device may include an increased number of edges compared to traditional pyramid-type anchors (i.e., the edges of the rotation members) than conventional anchors so that there is more surface-to-edge contact. This greater surface-to-edge contact advantageously increases the surface area that may make contact with a terrain, and thus may provide for more opportunity for the anchor to grab onto the terrain. In order to accomplish this goal, an anchor device may be designed as a series of rotation members aligned about a spine. These rotation members may be comprised of a series of stacked plates or blades. These rotation members may be stacked along a spine component that includes securing features, such as a central eye bolt and a lock nut. These rotation members may be separated by uniform and/or non-uniform slats. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the labeling of slats as uniform or non-uniform slats is intended to help distinguish the types of slats having differing dimensions and is not intended to limit the invention to only slats having specific dimensions as shown in the figures.

The design of an anchor device enabled by this disclosure may create a ribbed and/or contoured surface, advantageously providing a greater number of exposed edges compared to conventional anchors. The rotation members may be stacked, which may also substantially freely rotate independently around the spine component to conform to changing conditions. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the presence of natural friction or physical forces present where two masses meet is not intended to limit the present disclosure and is intended to be considered in the context of being able to freely rotate.

This rotation may advantageously provide an anchor that is able to react to its environment and create an increased amount of drag and increase the portion of drag that is substantially uninterrupted. This improved drag may allow for stopping the watercraft faster or better holding the watercraft to a desired position than traditional anchors. In one example provided in the interest of clarity, as the rotation members rotate, the overall shape of the anchor may change and adapt to allow more linear-edge surface area of the rotation members to grip onto, and dig into, the anchoring surface or other terrain. This enhanced surface-edge contact between the rotation members and the terrain relative to conventional anchors allows for greater flexibility with regard to when the watercraft may be stopped and/or held at a desired location. This greater flexibility is the product of the wider range of locations where, and conditions under which, the anchor is able to effectively grab onto and hold onto the anchoring surface or other terrain. The improved design of an anchor enabled by this disclosure may further allow for more effective use of the weight of the anchor.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, an illustrative anchor device 10 will now be discussed in more detail. The anchor device 10 may include a spine component 20, rotation members 40, slats 70, a tether mounting component 80, and/or additional components that will be discussed in greater detail below. The anchor device 10 may operate one or more of these components interactively with other components for securing a watercraft in a body of water via an improved grip by the anchor device on an anchor surface, for example, a river bed or lake bed.

The spine component 20 will now be discussed in greater detail. The spine component 20 may serve as an axis around which the rotation members 40 may rotate. The spine component 20 may include an elongated spine component member 24 extending from a mounting spine component end 22 to a distal spine component end 28. In one embodiment, the spine component 20 may comprise an eye bolt 29 at the mounting spine component end 22 of the spine component 20. The elongated spine component member 24 of the spine component 20 may be constructed such that it may pass through openings or apertures provided by other components of a device enabled by this disclosure, for example a rotation member opening 46 provided by a rotation member 40. The spine component 20 may be secured at the distal spine component end 28 via attachment hardware, for example, a lock nut.

In one embodiment, the eye bolt 29 may be located at the mounting spine component end 22 of the spine component 20, for example, being designed as a closed eye loop. A tether 82 and/or tether mounting component 80 may be operatively attached to the spine component 20 at the mounting spine component end 22, for example, via the eyebolt 29, if included. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments of the mounting spine component end 22 of the spine component 20 may include configurations alternative to an eye loop, for example, an at least partially unclosed loop, a hook, a locking loop, a carabiner attachment, or another interface that would be apparent to a person of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure, without limitation.

The elongated spine component member 24 of the spine component 20 may extend downwardly from the mounting spine component end 22 to a distal spine component end 28. In one embodiment, the distal spine component end 28 of the spine component 20 may be threaded, for example, to receive a locking nut, without limitation.

The spine component 20 may be made of a durable material. For example, the spine component 20 may be made of steel, as would be appreciated by skilled artisans familiar with industry standards. In one embodiment, the spine component 20 may preferably be constructed of galvanized steel. In additional embodiments, the spine component 20 may be constructed of other durable materials such as stainless steel, composites, and/or other materials that would be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Use of a thick steel may require use of a correspondingly larger tether component 20, tether 82, locking connector, carabiner, or other interface components to attach an anchor device 10 enabled by this disclosure to a watercraft.

The spine component 20 may be lift weighted to accommodate substantial force. In one embodiment, the spine component 20 may accommodate a load of at least 2200 lbs. of force, without limitation. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional embodiments with different load accommodations after having the benefit of this disclosure.

The rotation members 40 will now be discussed in greater detail. The figures highlight examples of the rotation members 40. An invention enabled by the present disclosure may include virtually any number of rotation members 40. Additionally, an invention enabled by this disclosure may include rotation members in various shapes, sizes, thicknesses, flatness, contours, having various edges, and/or otherwise configured, as will be appreciated by a person of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure. The skilled artisan will appreciate that typically the more rotation members 40 that are included, the heavier the anchor may be.

In one embodiment, the rotation members 40 may be configured as plates and/or blades, without limitation. The rotation members 40 may be constructed of virtually any number of durable materials, for example, galvanized steel. In other embodiments, an anchor device 10 enabled by this disclosure may include rotation members 40 constructed of, without limitation, steel, stainless steel, brass, lead, composite materials, molded materials, and/or another material that would be appreciated by those of skill in the art after having the benefit of this disclosure.

In another embodiment, the rotation members 40 may optionally be powder-coated to further enhance durability of an anchor device onto which they are installed. In one embodiment, the powder-coating contemplated by this disclosure may be formulated as to not produce any undesirable compounds during application or use that are harmful to the environment.

The rotation members 40 may be configured in various shapes, which may be determined according to an intended application and customer request. For example, the rotation members 40 may be constructed in substantially rectangular shapes of varying lengths and widths. In this example, the rotation members 40 may include rotation member edges 42 that are substantially linear and rotation member faces 44 that are substantially flat. In another embodiment, at least one of the rotation member edges may be arcuate, curved, beveled, angled, textured, saw-toothed, and/or otherwise configured, without limitation. Additionally, in various embodiments, the at least some of the rotation members may be non-rectangular, for example being provided as a triangle, circle, oval, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, animal shape, theme shaped, provided as an outline resembling a consumer-defined object, or otherwise. In one embodiment, the shape of at least some of the rotation members may be provided to resemble a sports team logo, licensed image, custom image, and/or other shape as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment, the rotation members 40 may include at first rotation member 50 and a second rotation member 60, which may collectively provide the rotation members 40. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that further additional rotation member configurations may be included by an anchor device enabled by this disclosure without limitation, and that the examples given throughout this disclosure having a first rotation member configuration and a second rotation member configuration are not intended to limit the disclosure to only those embodiments.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, at least some of the rotation members 40 may be configured as a first rotation member 50. The first rotation member may include various edges, for example, at least one first rotation member length edge 52 and at least one first rotation member width edge 54. The first rotation member length edge 52 may be defined by a first rotation member length. Similarly, the first rotation member width edge 54 may be defined by a first rotation member width. In one embodiment, the first rotation member may include a first rotation member face, which may be bound between the first rotation member edges. The first rotation member face may have a first rotation member surface area, which may be defined by the rotation member edges by which it is bound.

In one example, provided without limitation, the first rotation member length edge may include dimensions between approximately 1.0 to 25.0 inches. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the first rotation member length edge may be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and/or another value in inches, without limitation. In one example, provided without limitation, the first rotation member width edge may include dimensions between approximately 1.0 to 20.0 inches. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the first rotation member width edge may be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and/or another value in inches, without limitation.

In another example, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, at least some of the rotation members 40 may be configured as a second rotation member 60. The second rotation member may include various edges, for example, at least one second rotation member length edge 62 and at least one second rotation member width edge 64. The second rotation member length edge 62 may be defined by a second rotation member length. Similarly, the second rotation member width edge 64 may be defined by a second rotation member width. In one embodiment, the second rotation member may include a second rotation member face, which may be bound between the second rotation member edges. The second rotation member face may have second rotation member surface area, which may be defined by the rotation member edges by which it is bound.

In one example, provided without limitation, the second rotation member length edge may include dimensions between approximately 1.0 to 25.0 inches. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the second rotation member length edge may be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and/or another value in inches, without limitation. In one example, provided without limitation, the second rotation member width edge may include dimensions between approximately 1.0 to 20.0 inches. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the second rotation member width edge may be about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and/or another value in inches, without limitation.

The rotation members 40 may each include a rotation member opening 46. The rotation member opening 46 may be configured so that the spine component 20 can substantially freely pass through the rotation members 40. The rotation member opening 46 may pass substantially through the material that provides the rotation members 40. In one embodiment, the rotation member opening 46 may be located approximately in the center of the rotation member face 44 provided by the rotation member 40. In an alternative embodiment, the rotation member opening 46 may be offset from the center location of the corresponding rotation member face 44.

In one embodiment, provided without limitation, a diameter of the rotation member opening 46 may be approximately 0.5 to 1.0 inches. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that rotation member opening may be about 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6, 3.8, 4.0, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, and/or another value in inches, without limitation. In at least one embodiment, the rotation member opening 46 may be provided having a diameter to correspond with a spine component 20 that may pass through the rotation members 40, which may permit ease of rotation without having an excessive gap.

Slats will now be discussed in greater detail. An anchor device 10 enabled by this disclosure may include slats 70 as a buffer material, interface, or other construction to be positioned between the rotation members 40 when installed to the spine component 20. In one embodiment, the slats 70 may be provided as a washer, such as a steel washer, nylon washer, plastic washer, synthetic washer, and/or other type of washer, without limitation. The slat 70 may be incorporated and/or installed between rotation members 40.

In one embodiment, the slats 70 may include uniform slats and non-uniform slats. In various embodiments, the slats 70 may be made of a material that with reduced friction compared to the rotation members 40. Example materials from which the slats 70 may be constructed include nylon, durable plastics, metal, composites, Teflon® and/or other materials, without limitation. The slats 70 of the present disclosure may be approximately uniform in shape relative to one another, may be non-uniform in shape relative to one another, and/or may include a combination of uniform and non-uniform members.

A locking feature, such as a lock or locking nut, nut may be operatively attached or installed to the distal spine component end 28 of the spine component 20, without limitation. The locking feature may fasten the rotation members 40 and slats 70 to the spine component 20. The fastening of the locking feature, for example lock nut, to the distal spine component end 28 of the spine component 20 may considerably reduce the likelihood of the various components of an anchor device enabled by this disclosure from loosening during use. In one embodiment, a slat 70 may be provided at the distal spine component end 28 of the spine component 20, such as between a locking feature and the terminal rotation member, to provide the anchor with additional structural strength.

The tether mounting component 80 will now be discussed in greater detail. The figures highlight examples of the tether mounting component 80. A tether may be provided as an interface member to which other components may be attached. In one example, the tether mounting component 80 may be removably attached to the mounting spine component end 22 of the spine component 20. The tether mounting component 80 may additionally be removably attached to a tether 82, which may interface with a watercraft, without limitation. In one example, the tether mounting component 80 may include features to facilitate attaching an anchor device enabled by this disclosure to a tether 82, and thus to a watercraft to which the tether may be attached. The tether mounting component 80 may include a carabiner, chain link, pulley, and/or other interface feature that may be operatively attached to a watercraft or other object that is desired to be held in place by an anchor device enabled by this disclosure.

An anchor device enabled by this disclosure may be provided having a wide range of weights. In one embodiment, an effective weight for the anchor may typically be impacted by the nature and size of the watercraft. For example, for drift boats, skiffs, and rafts that are 14 feet in length and under, a preferred anchor configuration may include components weighing about 25 lbs. Where the drift boat, skiff, or raft is 15 to 18 feet in length, a preferred anchor configuration may include components weighing about 34 lbs. Where the anchor will be used in connection with a drift boat or sled in rougher water and with heavier rigs, a preferred anchor configuration may include components weighing about 45 lbs. Those of skill in the art will appreciate additional weights and configurations that could correspond with various watercraft types, sizes, weights, and shapes after having the benefit if this disclosure.

In operation, a method may be provided for securing a watercraft to an anchoring surface or other terrain provided by a body of water, such as a river bottom or lake floor via an improved anchor. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the following methods are provided to illustrate an embodiment of the disclosure, and should not be viewed as limiting the disclosure to only those methods or aspects. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional methods within the scope and spirit of the disclosure for performing the operations provided by the examples below after having the benefit of this disclosure. Such additional methods are intended to be included by this disclosure.

According to an embodiment of this disclosure, an illustrative method for securing a watercraft to terrain such as a river bottom via an improved anchor assembly is described. The following example is not intended to limit the use of an anchor device 10 enabled by this disclosure to only applications in flowing water, as such an anchor device 10 may also be operated in virtually any body of water including static water such as lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and/or other bodies of water, without limitation.

The operation may begin by releasing the anchor device into a body of water, wherein the anchor device is operatively connected to a tether and the tether is operatively connected to a watercraft. The tether mounting component may be secured to the watercraft, as would be appreciated by skilled artisans. The method may further comprise allowing for the rotation members of an anchor device enabled by this disclosure to contact with the river bottom or other anchoring surface relating to a body of water.

The method may further comprise rotation of the rotation members according to the contour of the anchoring surface or other terrain and other conditions once an anchor device enabled by this disclosure has entered the water and descended to the bottom of the river or other body of water. The method may further comprise rotation of the rotation members in a manner that results in the rotation members grabbing onto, and thereafter holding onto and/or digging into, the anchoring surface or other terrain. The method may further comprise slowing and/or cessation of movement of the watercraft as a result of the securing of the watercraft to the river bottom or other terrain with respect to the body of water. The method may further comprise separating the rotation members using slats to decrease friction between the rotation members, thereby facilitating rotation of said rotation members.

While various aspects of the present invention have been described in the above disclosure, the description of this disclosure is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention. The invention is defined by the scope of the claims included with this disclosure and not the illustrations and examples provided in the above disclosure. Skilled artisans will appreciate additional aspects of the invention, which may be realized in alternative embodiments, after having the benefit of the above disclosure. Other aspects, advantages, embodiments, and modifications are within the scope of the claims of a corresponding accompanying this disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An anchor device comprising: a spine component comprising an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end; rotation members comprising: a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component is installed, the rotation members operatively rotating about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other; and wherein when deployed, the rotation members selectively rotate about the spine component to engage an anchoring surface.
 2. The anchor device of claim 1, further comprising: a slat installed to the spine component between the rotation members, the slat comprising: a slat opening through which the spine component is installed, and a slat face to interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat; wherein the slat face contacts the rotation members by having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members.
 3. The anchor device of claim 2, wherein the slats are constructed using a slat material producing the friction that is less than produced by the rotating members.
 4. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the rotation members comprise: a first rotation member; and a second rotation member that differs in dimensions from the first rotation member.
 5. The anchor device of claim 4, wherein the rotation members installed to the spine component alternate between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.
 6. The anchor device of claim 4, wherein the first rotation member comprises: a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length; and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width.
 7. The anchor device of claim 6, wherein the second rotation member comprises: a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length; and a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width.
 8. The anchor device of claim 7, further comprising: a slat installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.
 9. The anchor device of claim 8, wherein the slat further comprises: a slat opening through which the spine component is installed; a first slat face to interface with the first rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat; a second slat face to interface with the second rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat; and wherein the first slat face contacts the first rotation member; wherein the second slat face contacts the second rotation member; and wherein the first slat face and the second slat face are defined by a slat face surface area that is less than a first rotation member face surface area or a second rotation member face surface area to reduce friction between the first rotation member and the second rotation member and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members about the spine component.
 10. The anchor device of claim 1, further comprising: a tether mounting component removably installed to the mounting spine component end of the spine component; and wherein a tether is operatively installable to the spine component via the tether mounting component.
 11. The anchor device of claim 10, wherein the spine component further comprises: an eyebolt located at the mounting spine component end of the spine component to receive the tether mounting component.
 12. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the spine component further comprises: an eyebolt located at the mounting spine component end of the spine component to receive a tether.
 13. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein when deployed in a body of water having the anchoring surface that is uneven, the rotation members selectively rotate about the spine component to engage the anchoring surface that is uneven; wherein the rotation members that are rotated to correspond with the anchoring surface that is uneven increase grip by the rotation members to the anchoring surface to facilitate maintaining an anchored position of a watercraft with respect to the body of water; and wherein the rotation members that are rotated to correspond with the anchoring surface that is uneven dig into the anchoring surface to facilitate maintaining the anchored position of the watercraft with respect to the body of water.
 14. The anchor device of claim 1, wherein the rotation member edge is substantially linear.
 15. An anchor device comprising: a spine component comprising an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end; rotation members comprising: a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component is installed, the rotation members operatively rotating about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other; and wherein the rotation members comprise: a first rotation member comprising a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width, and a second rotation member comprising a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length and a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width; and wherein the rotation members installed to the spine component alternate between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.
 16. The anchor device of claim 15, further comprising: a slat installed to the spine component between the rotation members, the slat comprising: a slat opening through which the spine component is installed, and a slat face to interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members.
 17. The anchor device of claim 15, further comprising: a slat installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member; wherein the slat further comprises: a slat opening through which the spine component is installed, a first slat face to interface with the first rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat, and a second slat face to interface with the second rotation member installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat.
 18. An anchor device comprising: a spine component comprising an elongated spine component member extending from a mounting spine component end to a distal spine component end; rotation members comprising: a rotation member edge, a rotation member face, and a rotation member opening through which the spine component is installed, the rotation members operatively rotating about the spine component at the rotation member opening substantially independently of each other; and a slat installed to the spine component between the rotation members, the slat comprising: a slat opening through which the spine component is installed, and a slat face to interface with the rotation members installed to the spine component adjacent to the slat; wherein the slat face contacts the rotation members by having a slat face surface area that is less than a rotation member face surface area of the rotation member face to reduce friction and facilitate dynamic rotation of the rotation members; and wherein the slats produce the friction that is less than produced by the rotating members.
 19. The anchor device of claim 18, wherein the rotation members comprise: a first rotation member comprising a first rotation member length edge defined by a first rotation member length and a first rotation member width edge defined by a first rotation member width, and a second rotation member comprising a second rotation member length edge defined by a second rotation member length that is different than the first rotation member length and a second rotation member width edge defined by a second rotation member width that is different than the first rotation member width; and wherein the rotation members installed to the spine component alternate between the first rotation member and the second rotation member.
 20. The anchor device of claim 19: wherein the slat is installed to the spine component between the first rotation member and the second rotation member. 